Contrary to popular belief, the Paleo diet is not an all-meat diet. It is, in fact, a high-vegetable diet, and that includes cabbage.
Cabbage may not sound very exciting, but it comes loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, and various B vitamins. We all know that getting plenty of vitamin C in our diet is essential for immune health and avoiding scurvy. What many people don’t know is that vitamin K is essential for transporting calcium from our blood to our bones. We can drink all the milk we want, but without vitamin K, that calcium will just sit in our arteries and build up plaque.
Phytochemicals
Cabbage is also high in phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are chemical compounds found in plants that may have biological significance, but have not been established as essential nutrients. However, phytochemicals have proven immune-boosting properties and are currently under study for their possible anti-cancer effects. Cabbage, in particular, has been studied for its ability to prevent the absorption of carcinogens.
Sulfur
Cabbage is also very high in sulfur, and although sulfur doesn’t get much attention in the press, it’s a vital nutrient. Mark Sisson has a whole post on reasons we should be eating our sulfur-rich vegetables.
